IMPACT: International Journal of Research in

Humanities, Arts and Literature (IMPACT: IJRHAL)

ISSN (P): 2347-4564; ISSN (E): 2321-8878
Vol. 7, Issue 3, Mar 2019, 1-10
© Impact Journals

A STUDY ON MOSQUES AND DARGAHS IN BARAK VALLEY: THE MYTH AND

REALITY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CUSTOMARY LAWS

Dilwar Hussain Talukdar1 & T. R. Gogoi 2

1
Research Scholar, Department of Sociology (History), USTM, Meghalaya, India
2
Professor, Department of Sociology, USTM, Meghalaya, India

Received: 21 Feb 2019 Accepted: 26 Feb 2019 Published: 08 Mar 2019

ABSTRACT

In North East India, a varied number of tribes and non-tribes live. They have their own distinct cultures, own
social customs, religious beliefs, own languages, own traditional dress, complexes, and social trends. The history of
Muslims of Barak Valley is important for a comprehensive history of Assam. From the ancient times, Muslims believe that
Mosques and Dargahs as religious institutions and the customary laws play an important role in Mosques and Dargahs of
Barak Valley. Customary law is not a judicial law but it is also an art of society and local administration. The present study
attempts to understand the religious institutions in the Barak Valley is a simple Islamic doctrine of peace, equality,
fraternity, and common brotherhood and their disciples demonstrated in public and practiced in their social life. Mosques
and Dargahs are religious institutions and customary to man and materials to accomplish a purpose. As we know, when
people live together, social problems arise in society. The activities of man in society are to be properly organized and
managed. Without proper organization and management, it would become difficult for men to live together. Mosques and
Dargahs are therefore a necessary activity of religious human grouping. It is called the technology of social relationships. It
involves customary law and rational organization of man and material. The administrative framework of Mosques and
Dargahs of Barak Valley is based on democratic principles. The administration runs by the involvement of the concerned
committee on democratic setup. Every Mosques and Dargahs has a managing committee to look after all affairs of the
institutions. The committee headed by a President and a Secretaryto look after all the required affairs for the development
and smooth functioning of the administration.

KEYWORDS: Mosque, Dargah, Barak Valley, Muslim, Managing Committee, Customary Law

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